Standing Orders for Local Councils

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has published the revised first version of ‘Standing Orders of Local Councils’, due to continuing demand.

Standing Orders is an easy-to-understand comprehensive guide on the legal, financial, administrative and governance aspects of running a local council. This guidance is an essential tool for established or new councillors and officers involved in this tier of local government.

Part 1 explains in practical terms why Standing Orders and other tools for governance are necessary for local councils and includes key sections on:

• the legal framework of local councils;
• local council employees;
• engaging with the public;
• council meetings;
• procedure and mechanics of debate;
• chairing meetings.

Part 2 of the publication provides a complete set of ‘model’ standing orders for local councils to use to structure, manage and execute their business. The model Standing Orders in Part 2 may be adopted as drafted or, as appropriate, amended by a local council and some of the important matters covered in this part includes:

• The revised edition of this book amends Model Standing Order No.32 (variation, revocation and suspension of standing orders) in Part 2.
• the responsibilities expected of a local council’s proper officer (clerk);
• tabling motions for debate at meetings;
• the rules of debate at meetings;
• managing public participation at meetings;
• financial and legal matters;
• the responsibilities and management of staff;
• handling complaints, requests for information and communications with the media.

Standing Orders of Local Councils - Electronic Version of Part 2

NALC is delighted to offer member councils, an electronic MS word version of Part 2 (including Model Standing Orders) free of charge. Members can download this from the members’ area of the NALC website – please click here (you must log in to read this document).

The Pricing Structure for Standing Orders for Local Councils:

	Print Version of Standing Orders for Local Councils	Electronic Version of Part 2 (including Model Standing Orders)
Non-member rate per copy	£35 (cover price)	Not available
Member rate per copy	£25	Free
Member rate per copy (for 10 or more copies)	£20	Free

How to order:

To order the new all-important Standing Orders for Local Councils, member councils should contact their local County Association and order through them. It is a matter for local County Associations how they decide to handle orders or queries from non-member councils. The National Association can handle non-member councils orders or queries directly, if need be.

All orders from County Associations should be placed using the NALC publications order form. Orders should be sent to Beverley Brown via email at beverley.brown@nalc.gov.uk, or by fax on 020 7436 7451 or by post to the NALC office.

Your Standing Orders for Local Councils will be dispatched within two weeks of your order date.

28 April 2011